Marilyn is a native of Illinois who moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, seven years ago. Her riding career began at the age of 9, with Western lessons; trail riding and "spoon games," as she puts it.

At the age of 16, Marilyn changed riding styles to Hunter/Juniper and she soon became interested in Combined Training. Her experience with horses is varied and quite extensive. She has attended and participated in many seminars and clinics with such people as Francois DeRuffieu, Major Paul Lindsay, Betsey Steiner, Bruce Davidson, and more.

Since 1971, Lucas has been instructing combined training to her students. Seven days a week, no matter the weather, Marilyn feeds, grooms, turns out, and trains. She likes to begin teaching students when they are old enough to "focus" (usually about 9 years old), but she also instructs adults who have had a lifelong ambition to ride. . . but never found the opportunity to do so.

Group Lessons often start around $20 an hour. "People shopping for a trainer need to know what to look for. There is no certification requirement for instructors," she informs.

Marilyn is certified by the American Riding Instructors Program. This is a step that many instructors have yet to take. She says that safety, honesty, and integrity are qualities found in every good trainer. Marilyn would love to hear from you so that she can tailor a training program just for you and your horse.

The goal in establishing a top 50 riding instructors in America list each year is to give national exposure to some very talented teachers who might otherwise not receive accolades. While some of the teachers on our list may be nationally known, others will be local heroes in their respective communities, working with riders of all abilities and backgrounds. They are on the front line to help the sport of riding grow.

Here is the 2007 Top 50 list, in alphabetical order, along with a few lines from their nominating letter. We wish we had space to include all the wonderful letters of nomination we received, in their entirety. Congratulations to all who were nominated, and especially to the Top 50 who were selected after a long and careful process.

Marilyn Lucas Knox, Indiana I have never witnessed such eloquence, grace and simplicity in one person's riding and training techniques. Every aspect of training is broken down into small, achievable tasks.

Game of the Week 

Nearly 3,000 Horses Call the County Home
By Christine Graef
Times Correspondent

Yes, that's true of the state's most densely populated county. And a fourth of them live in Pinellas Park. The humans who bond with them would "rather be at the stable than anywhere else," one rider says.

A wisp of smile lights Dianne Heleno's face as she turns the corner of the riding ring and signals her horse to pick up the three-beat lope of a canter.

Ears pricked forward and black tail flowing, Hooch extends his front leg and carriers her across the course. Dianne reaches forward and pats his soft neck.

"This is like no other relationship," she says. "It's based on trust, on communication."

Heleno, 17, of Seminole, began riding lessons at Suncoast Equestrian Center on 62nd Avenue N last year. She prefers the posting trot of the English hunt seat, the elegant dance of dressage, and the power and speed of open jumping. But riders of all styles, from English and Western to saddle seat and carriage driving, can find their pleasure in Pinellas County.

The county is host to more than 2,800 horses, and about 700 of them are stabled in Pinellas Park, according to the Kissimmee State Lab, which keeps records of required inoculations. "It's something enjoyed by all ages," said Marilyn Lucas, trainer at Suncoast Equestrian Center.

Lucas has been instructing combined training since 1971. Seven days a week, no matter the weather, Lucas feeds, grooms, turns out and trains. She said she likes to begin teaching students when they are old enough to focus, usually about 9 years old, but she also instructs adults who have had a lifelong desire to ride, but never found the opportunity. Lessons often start around $50 an hour.

"A lot of us have always had that dream," said Janet Acosta, who has driven 20 minutes to the stable from her St. Pete Beach home almost every day since she began riding with Lucas last summer. "It's more than a hobby. It gives me the chance to spend time outdoors, relax, and have fun."

A few months ago, Acosta bought a 15-year old gelding, Stormy, she had enjoyed riding in Naples. When Stormy's owner needed to sell him, Acosta jumped at the chance.

"He's got a good personality," Acosta said. "He's tolerant of my mistakes and he's the right size for me."

One reason she wanted to own a horse, she said, was because of the bond that builds between horse and rider. But lessons also can be taken on one of Lucas' four horses-Ske, Gent, Tara, and Sara. Or riders can lease a horse if don't want the commitment of owning one. "It is time-consuming and it is a commitment, but most people who have a horse would rather be at the stable than anywhere else," Acosta said. "It takes the understanding of the entire family. I couldn't do this without the support of my husband, Tony."

Between board, horseshoes, veterinary bills, lessons, a helmet to protect the head, and a boot with a heel to prevent the foot from sliding through a stirrup, a horseback rider can spend hundreds of dollars a month. But the money is considered a good investment by the mother of one young rider.

"My daughter has tried a lot of different things, but this is the one thing she wants to stick with," said Pinellas Park resident Anne Irland. "I don't know yet if she'll want to ride just for pleasure or compete in shows. Either way, this has been wonderful for her."

Irland's 10-year-old daughter, Donnelle, has been riding at Suncoast for two years. Irland said she hopes Donelle will be a working student in a few years.

"She's learning to be responsible for another living creature. Donnelle brings the horses treats every time she comes. It's gotten so that when she walks down the aisle, the horses will look up for their treats. They know her now."

As she sits outside the riding ring and watches her daughter trot a chestnut pony over low rails, Irland breathes in the tranquility of the 11-acre farm and the fields of grazing horses.

"This has really become a family event," Irland said. "It's time Donnelle and I can share, but it's also a break for me to just sit out here and enjoy the peace."

Irland attributes her daughter's confidence to a trainer who allows Donnelle to progress at her own pace. She said the lessons also have taught Donnelle a respect for authority and a desire to achieve.

"It's not just about riding," said Lucas. "It's molding minds and setting standards."

Lucas stresses responsibility and safety in the barn and in the ring.

"People shopping around for a trainer need to know what to look for. There is no certification requirement for instructor," said Lucas, who is certified by the national American Riding Instructors Program. The credentials are optional for instructors. She said safety, honesty, and integrity are qualities found in good trainers.